This post, really short story, isn’t about the 8.6 mile Wheeler Peak hike that made me feel everyone of my 53 years or the bad news we received at the end about the end of life turn Joe’s dad took this morning requiring us to go back home now. It’s about me being irresponsible and faith in humanity and well just kindness. So if your are looking for a reason to rant about politics or a reason to just be angry this isn’t the place for you.
Recently, after a long and painful struggle, my mom passed away in May. Joe–but especially me–needed a get away and decided a little solitude at a less visited National Park, Great Basin, was just the ticket. Two days into our getaway, and after the aforementioned soul crushing hike, we received the heart breaking news and headed back to Salt Lake City (SLC). Several calls later, we booked a flight for first thing in the morning and a hotel room near the airport. Thank you to American Airlines for being accommodating with no extra charge and to Four Points by Sheraton Airport for upgrading our room to the quieter side of the building for better sleep.
But I digress, back to Jake and the diamond ring.
The trip from Great Basin to SLC is just over 3 1/2 hours. During this time, I started to fidget and dropped my ring between the passenger seat and the center console. Embarrassingly enough this isn’t the first time I’ve done this and usually it’s a quick fish-it-out-and-put-it-back-on-my-finger. Not this time. The area between the passenger seat and the console in a rental car is something that would make even the least of germaphobes faint. After I’d hopped into the back seat to get a better view, Joe finally asked what the heck I was up to. I explained the situation and he pulled the car over to a broken down gas station and aided in the search. After several hours, many swear words, and in my case two bloody and bruised hands, the elusive ring was still not found. It was time to keep driving and make some phone calls once we had cell service.
I managed to find a 24 hour car service with a dispatcher who promised they would be able to remove the car seat for a better view. We just had to give them a few hours because they were already on a different job. At around 11:30 pm, I called to find out how long it would be, and got the news that they didn’t really mean 24 hours and that they were tired and wouldn’t be able to help me. With tears in my voice, I wasn’t above begging but the answer was still no. So I got back on the phone and many, many phone calls later a wonderful man named Jeff gave me some hope. He said to call his son Jake who owns a Lock and Key business but also does some work on cars and can help. He gave me two numbers and I called both but had to leave messages. Back to the grim, used toothpicks, gum wrappers of the underside of the passenger seat.
Ring, “Hi, this is Jake, how can I help you?” “Your ring? We can do this. You have to be at the airport for a 5 am flight? No worries, I am heading your way.” Jake arrives in his small white van and began work right away. He was absolutely positive that this isn’t a lost cause and that his dad raised him with a can-do attitude. Jake didn’t have the proper tool needed to remove the car seat but we started to disassemble the center console that at this point we both thought the ring had wiggled itself into. Chatting with Jake during this time I learned he once worked in genetics and then decided that wasn’t for him and eventually after some soul searching became a entrepreneur–lucky for me! The reason he knew his way around a car, was that he learned about the computer systems of cars as well.
After an hour of tearing apart the car with no luck, Jake decided to go get the needed tool from his step dad Jeff. Unfortunately, Jeff was still working on a truck in Park Lake City, Utah, about half an hour away. No problems, Jake reassured me, you won’t go home without that ring. There is a home I need to help someone get in, will pick up the tool and return.
Perhaps you will think me impulsive, but at this point I gave him the car key and he insisted I go get some sleep and he would text me when the ring was found. A little over an hour later, no text and almost time to head to the airport, so I change my clothes and headed back the parking lot to check on the situation. Good morning Jake–still no ring. No, he said. But he’d just got back a few minutes ago and the seat is almost removed. Jake lifts out the chair and starts to search in all the wiring beneath it while I dig under the carpet. Snug in the rug was the tricky little ring! We both whooped and cheered. Then hurriedly Jake put the car back together again–only one small screw we couldn’t find. Sorry Avis.
During this time, Jake refused to accept my apologies for the late hour and ridiculousness of the request. He reassured me it was his pleasure and his fate. I believe he understood this wasn’t just about a lost ring but perhaps a metaphor for something bigger and he was completely sincere.
It’s that sincerity and kindness that still brings me to tears while I write. Going thru my mother’s suffering and death and now the same with Joe’s dad who is like a second father is so disheartening. Then, I turn on the radio to wars, American politics, and all the negative influences out there today…
In the middle of the night, in Salt Lake City, Utah, faced with a ridiculous situation of my own doing I meet a live Ted Lasso combined with Ned Flanders who gives me this little bit of sunshine and hope. Thank you again Jake, the little things are what matter. You made a difference it someone’s life today when they really needed it. We did make the flight with 15 minutes to spare and I was even bumped up to first class! Everything isn’t sunshine and rainbows as we will be attending a funeral of another parent in a few weeks. Yet, I will have this unexpected moment of goodness from a man I will probably never see again. I haven’t posted in years so the few people who read this hopefully it gives you a smile.
And if you happen to be in the Salt Lake City area and have any lock and key or weird car requests, Jake of Salt Lake Jake’s Lock and Key is your man! 385-743-1299
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